Wes Craven To Write Graphic Novel

If there’s one thing our friends at Liquid Comics seem to have a knack for, it’s getting A-List celebrity talent on board the graphic novel train. Their latest signing? Horror legend Wes Craven, who has committed to an as-yet-untitled four-issue miniseries. The news was released at the San Diego Comic-Con, and while details are still thin on the ground, it’s probably fair to assume that it’s going to be within the horror genre. The full press release is below.

NEW YORK, NY— July 23, 2010 – Liquid Comics announced today a publishing partnership with legendary filmmaker Wes Craven (Scream, The Hills Have Eyes, Nightmare on Elm Street) and producer Arnold Rifkin (Hostage, 16 Blocks, Live Free or Die Hard), wherein Craven will create his first original graphic novel story.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Liquid Comics and Cheyenne Enterprises on the development of an original idea for both a comic book and for a subsequent film based on it. It’s an idea I’ve been dying to get out there, and working in collaboration with Sharad Devarajan and Arnold Rifkin will be the ideal win/win way to do it,” commented Craven.

Details on Craven’s story have not yet been released and Liquid Comics is currently engaged in dialogues with leading creators in the comic book industry to work with Craven on the project. The graphic novel deal was finalized by Craven’s team at WME, Industry Entertainment, and Ziffren Brittenham LLP.

“We are equally excited about our new collaboration with Liquid Comics and iconic filmmaker Wes Craven. The opportunity to work with someone as creative as Wes is only enhanced by the addition of Liquid Comics, who’s resources and understanding of the graphic novel world will be of significant value as we create this new franchise,” added Arnold Rifkin, President of Cheyenne Enterprises.

Liquid plans to launch the story as a four issue comic-book series starting early next year. In addition to print, Liquid will launch a number of digital initiatives allowing Craven’s fans to experience his graphic novel story across a variety of platforms including online or through their iPad, iPhone and other mobile and gaming devices.

“Wes Craven has continuously been at the forefront of redefining the horror and thriller genres. We are honored to be able to work with him to bring his creativity and genius to graphic novels for the first time,” added,Liquid Comics Co-Founder & CEO, Sharad Devarajan. “In addition to Wes, we are thrilled to be working with Arnold Rifkin, whose prolific experience as a producer will help us take Wes’s story beyond the printed page and on to the big screen.”

ABOUT LIQUID COMICS:Liquid Comics is an entertainment company focused on creating original stories and modern myths for worldwide audiences. The company was founded by entrepreneurs, Gotham Chopra, Sharad Devarajan and Suresh Seetharaman anduses the medium of graphic novel publishing to develop properties for theatrical live-action films, animation and video games. Liquid has created original graphic novels with acclaimed filmmakers and creators including John Woo, Shekhar Kapur, Deepak Chopra, Guy Ritchie, Dave Stewart, Jonathan Mostow, Edward Burns, Nicolas Cage, John Moore and others. The Company currently has a number of film and television projects in development including the Warner Bros. film adaptation of Gamekeeper with director Guy Ritchie; Virulents with director John Moore; Voodoo Child with Saturn Films and Reliance; The Leaves with Summit Entertainment;Beyond in development as a theatrical film with author Deepak Chopra; The Stranded, in development for television, with the Syfy Channel and First Family in development at FremantleMedia Enterprises. www.LiquidComics.com<http://www.LiquidComics.com>

ABOUT CHEYENNE ENTERPRISES:Arnold Rifkin – Cheyenne Enterprises
Arnold Rifkin formed Cheyenne Enterprises in January 2000 with his former client of 17 years, Bruce Willis. Cheyenne has produced such feature films as Bandits, Hart’s War, The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course, Tears of the Sun, The Whole Ten Yards, Hostage, Sixteen Blocks, Just My Luck, Live Free or Die Hard, Deception, and the mixed martial arts film Blood & Bone, recently released by Sony. Rifkin recently optioned the high-profile graphic novel Jeremiah Harm Boom! Studios and has attached Timur Bekmambetov (Night Watch; Wanted) to helm the adaptation. In television, Cheyenne, A. Smith & Co. and Mighty Loud Entertainment aired their reality series Full Throttle Saloon on TruTV in 2009 and have been picked up for a second season in 2010. Before founding Cheyenne Enterprises, Rifkin was a talent agent for over 20 years. He started his career with Nicole David at their company Rifkin-David, and he was a founding partner of the hugely successful Triad Artists. In 1992, Triad Artists was acquired by the William Morris Agency, and Rifkin was named worldwide head of the WMA Motion Picture Department. In 1995, he ascended to the role of president of the agency, where he remained until September 1999. Mr. Rifkin has been a visiting professor at the UCLA producers’ program for the last 15 years and has additionally guest lectured at Harvard, Columbia and Yale Universities and the Learning Annex.